Press Release

For Release: May 10, 2001
Contact: David Almasi at 202/543-4110 x106 or [email protected]

Black Network Opposes
Attack on Motherhood

School's Rejection of
Mother's Day Activities Just Part of
Larger Attack on Traditional Families

Unlike the administrators of the Rodeph Sholom Day School in
New York City, members of the African-American leadership network
Project 21 are proud to celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday. Project
21 members were shocked to learn that the school has suspended
Mother's Day-related activities because of concerns for the feelings
of children raised by homosexuals, single parents and grandparents.

Mother's Day was first celebrated 94 years ago in Grafton,
West Virginia, and was proclaimed a national holiday in 1914.
Rodeph Sholom Day School director Cindi Sampson, however, told
the New York Post that her school was banning activities - like
making greeting cards - related to Mother's Day because "we
are a school with many different family make-ups, and we need
to recognize the emotional well-being of all our children in the
school."

"The Bible gives the commandment with the promise, 'honor
thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the earth.'
How can scholars suggest that teaching honor and longevity have
no educational value to children?" said Project 21 member
Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In a recent New Visions Commentary on the importance of motherhood,
Project 21 member Rita Thompson wrote, "I am never a 'second-class'
citizen, but a proud mom who is willing to make personal sacrifices
to see our children grow up with good self-esteem and no doubts
that their daddy and mommy love them. Why not celebrate that one
Sunday out of the year? It's a wonderful thing to stop and remember
that a mother gave us life, forgiveness, courage, taught us right
and wrong and loved us without condition and beyond expectation."

King added: "To suggest that children who live with two
females or two males as a family unit will be less traumatized
if there is no Mother's Day or Father's Day is not honest. The
children are confused because the whole set-up is confusing in
the first place. The supporters of this initiative are copping
our on the futures of the children of America in a big way."